Robert De Niro has renewed his vocal criticism of Donald Trump, saying there is no alternative but to stand up to a bully.
The actor spoke to MSNBC on Sunday, backing the No Kings protests, which drew millions of participants across the US. De Niro called for stronger resistance, insisting politicians must fear the will of the people more than Trump.
“Either face the wrath of Trump or the wrath of the people,” he said. “They have to be more afraid of the wrath of the people.”
De Niro emphasized the need to oppose Trump’s plans for a third term. “We cannot let up on him because he is not going to leave the White House. He does not want to leave the White House. Anybody who thinks otherwise is deluding themselves,” he said.
Describing the situation as a classic case of bullying, De Niro added: “There’s no other way to face a bully. You have to face him, fight it out, and back him down. That’s the only way this is going to work.”
The actor has long been critical of Trump. In 2016, he called the then-candidate “a bullshit artist.” In 2019, he said he could not wait to see Trump in jail. By 2023, he labeled the former president “evil” and “a wannabe tough guy with no morals or ethics.” In May 2025, De Niro told the Guardian, “The man is a bully and you can’t let bullies win.”
De Niro also referenced the historical roots of the No Kings movement. “The original No Kings protest was 250 years ago. Americans decided they didn’t want to live under King George III. They declared their independence and fought a bloody war for democracy,” he said in a previous video.
“Now we have a would-be king who wants to take it away. King Donald the First. Fuck that. We’re rising up again. We’re all in this together, indivisible with liberty and justice for all,” he added.
The No Kings protests have become a focal point for Americans opposed to Trump’s influence and potential return to the presidency. De Niro’s remarks highlight the growing call for citizen action to safeguard democratic principles.
